History of the Museum

The dream of establishing a museum at Solomons to preserve and interpret the area's history was shared by the following individuals: Daniel Barrett Jr., William Dovel, Alton Kersey, Joseph C. Lore Jr., and LeRoy "Pepper" Langley. They have been permanently recognized on a plaque located at the front entrance of the museum.

The Calvert Marine Museum, designed and built by volunteers on land provided by John Bluster, was established on Solomon's Island, Maryland, on October 18, 1970 under the aegis of the Calvert County Historical Society. It soon outgrew its original facility and was moved to the present nine-acre site in 1975. It was at this time that the renovated Drum Point Lighthouse was moved to the museum site.

With the growth of museum programs, collections, and visitation, the Calvert County Historical Society in 1979 asked that Calvert County designate the museum a separate department of the county government, with a seventeen-member Board of Governors to provide oversight.

Another important landmark was reached in 1981 when the Calvert Marine Museum met the criteria set by the American Association of Museums and was fully accredited by that organization. The Calvert Marine Museum is part of the small elite of 300 plus museums who have successfully gone through the accreditation process three times and one of only twelve museums in Maryland to be accredited. In 1984, a supporting and fundraising organization was incorporated under the name of the Calvert Marine Museum Society.